One year ago, we dared hope for an invincible treble but it seemed impossible, even the greats never achieved it. The Lions lost home and away to Dundee United in season 1966-67, while we achieved the treble on only two other occasions. When Tom Rogic dinked a 90th minute winner in the Scottish Cup final you and I knew the level of achievement.
At that point, 2017 went down in our history as a year bettered only by 1967. 2003 came close, but season 2002-03 is remembered fondly for its endearing frailties. Celtic were simply peerless as they secured the club’s fourth treble.
With half of season 2017-18 complete, the first leg of what would be an unprecedented second successive treble is complete, but signs are clear that this team peaked some months ago, despite qualification for the Europa League knockout rounds.
Aware of the exceptional (from a Scottish perspective) demands on his players of completing in every round of cup competitions, a dozen European games and international football, Brendan Rodgers has rotated his squad this season more than any previous Celtic manager. While this was doubtlessly the correct action, performances inevitably took a hit when our two exceptional and experience strikers were watching from the side-lines. In football, you often need to take a backwards step to make long-term gains.
This didn’t really bothered me. I liked watching Odsonne Edouard, Anthony Ralston and Calvin Miller. Being able to win the league while developing talent in this manner is one of the few benefits of being stuck in a small league.
Ultimately, even our top performers struggled to raise their game. Defeat eventually arrived, a timely signpost for the club as they plan ahead.
You and I have studied the structure of the club for many years. We have never known it to be as stable. Income last season topped £90m, the first time it reached this level, and with a fair wind, it could reach nine figures this season.
These riches come with fresh risks. Wage levels have rocketed in line with performances. We can afford our current operating levels – and can even afford an occasional reversal in the Champions League qualifiers, but there is a misalignment at the heart of what we are doing.
In his opening transfer window, Brendan added Moussa Dembele (who was already on the Ronny Deila target list) and Scott Sinclair. Both made a phenomenal contribution to the success which followed. This season, with Scott struggling to recapture his earlier form and Moussa hampered by injury, the big contributions have come from players who were at the club under the Ronny regime. Indeed, of the Celtic team which ended the year, only Olivier Ntcham was a Brendan Rodgers signing.
What we have added since the summer of 2016 is management expertise. Brendan took Ronny’s squad to levels none of us thought possible, but only two of his signings are automatic first-choice.
This is not necessarily against plan. When you sign French youth internationals like Ntcham and Edouard you do not expect them to immediately displace more experienced players. Players do not mature at the same rate – Kieran Tierney got their earlier than Kenny Dalglish, so if the plan is to recruit the best French and Scottish youth talent, patience will be required.
Notwithstanding this, Brendan will want to have more of his own signings grabbing starting slots in the big games. The players who were there under Ronny have made Herculean progress, but that invincible treble was their high point.
On that front, Lee Congerton joined in March as chief scout, a few months after the phenomenally successful John Park era ended. Scouting is as much about relationships as judgement and the environment is not conducive to friendship-making. Park’s job became increasingly difficult, despite his encyclopaedic knowledge of players sound judgement. Over his tenure, the Celtic proposition became comparatively less attractive.
The mere fact that Brendan Rodgers is manager changed this. Moussa didn’t sign for Ronny in January 2016 but put pen to paper for Brendan six months later. It is the job of Lee Congerton to make the most of the Celtic proposition, Brendan Rodgers and Champions League football to deliver players that can push us further in the Champions League.
Nothing of significance has changed in our chances of escaping our playing environment. We will remain in Scotland until at least the bubble inflating football incomes elsewhere bursts, most significantly of all in England. Within months the next England and Wales Premier League TV rights auction will conclude.
Premier League audiences have dwindled since the last rights were issued but Sky TV’s entire existence is predicated on winning a significant portion of these rights. The Premier League is trying to attract bids from Amazon and Facebook, so it is possible rights values could increase despite falling audience figures. But we can hope.
Until then, our role in the world is to dominate the life out of our domestic rivals, qualify for the Champions League and continue to add to the unique story of Celtic.
I loved every minute of being a Celtic supporter in 2017. It was thrilling, captivating and inspiring. Whatever it brings, your club will be an exciting place over the next 12 months. Enjoy it.
Take care and thank you for all your support. I hope you each have a Happy New Year and healthy 2018.
NEW CQN PODCAST OUT NOW! CHRISTMAS JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS
Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham are joined by Celtic authors, Stephen Sullivan and Stevie Murray for a special festive episode – Christmas Jumpers for Goal-Posts.
Stephen Sullivan is a former Celtic View reporter who wrote the much-lauded Sean Fallon biography, ‘Iron Man’. He is now the editor of FIFA.com.
Stevie Murray has now written two books on Celtic – ‘Ten Men Won The League’ and ‘Kenny of the Celtic’ – and he is a respected and authoritative voice on the club.
Treat yourself to a signed copy of Jim Craig – Right Back to 67 and you will receive a copy of That Season on Paradise signed by Bertie Auld, just order the Jim Craig book at CQNbookstore.co.uk and we’ll do the rest…
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One of the sorest losers in sport being handed his arse on a plate in the darts
Cambhoy – met Phil on a few social occasions and he is an ok bloke – does he like losing – you bet he doesn’t
anyway at 57 – 16 world championships is probably enough.
To be fair Cross is playing at a different level.
burslemCSC
GFTB
I,m sure the day will go well, if a bit surreal!
Hope you enjoyed the video of the donkey…. not much of a shotstopper, but you should see his fancy footwork when setting up attacks.
Keep your posts coming……really enjoy reading them- and by the way, did I miss something…..you calling a certain person Mags……surely not the sorely missed Ms McGill, last seen in O’Gilligans in Lisbon??????
Hopefully the coaches and players will work things out in the sunshine.
Perhaps time outwit the fishbowl will allow some clarity and give them time to evaluate what worked and what hasn’t this season to date.
Playing out from the back should be a priority and others have to take responsibility and not leave it to Broonie.
Our off the ball movement has been another reason for our stuttering season and also needs work.
We hopefully will tie up ins and outs quickly to allow time for new additions to gel.
Looking forward to seeing a reenergised Celtic in 2018.
Well done Rob Cross – well deserved
Scaniel
Mags / Celterella
One of the posters(s) I get on well with, totally understand where the posts come from, I am also annoyed about our governance but hope I use Cqn for mainly fitba stuff :-)
I do stray at times, but totally appreciate CQN
Gene – nobody likes losing but Taylor never gives others credit, it’s always about him. He’s not signing the board tonight…..
Rob Cross just unplayable.Incredible performance.
JNP
Great call with your mate
Some price, excellent :-)
The much maligned KevJ has a point when CELTIC make the Paradise Windfall…. 25 G for that game only. hmmmm.
Come on.
Celtic played like that team was a threat, I know they were knackered……. Howevaaaaaah.
Anthony Ralston and Others, I hope, will get plenty starts in this New Year.
Make Every game 11G.
Heck… I’d buy 2 tickets if Celtic made it 5 G against Sevco.
Perspective.
Petec 10.11pm
Zenit is our focus :-)
By the way don’t malign the unmaligned :-)
GFTB,
Yes, Mags/Celterella……very reminiscent of MsMcGill, who (if it is he) told me he deeply regretted creating that female persona. Have enjoyed your spats, though, and can appreciate both your points of view.
I wish I was a bit older
God Bless EVERY CQNER.
Scaniel, as far as I know it is absolutely certain that Mags is Celterella or Celterella is Mags whichever you prefer.
Gerryfaethebrig,
There really is indeedi, Only Wan King Billy, and that is McNeill.
The team that cuffed Kilmarnock in the league cup early season, when KT scored his 35 yard screamer, were really exciting to watch. Complete performance in many ways.
Killie were poor but had a fairly experienced team out and Millar, Ralston, Tierney et al were stand outs in a very good team performance. Injury has held back some of the young guns but I think we can look forward to seeing a bit more of them in the first team once they are available.
I’d like to see Olivier and broonie given an extended run as the first choice centre pairing.
The transfer window will hopefully bring nice surprises but I’m past getting too excited about it. Too many let downs in the past and the reality that January isn’t necessarily the best time to do business……..
Glad the bhoys are getting a rest but I’m already missing the prospect of a game to watch at the weekend!
Random thoughts CSC
Scaniel 10.17pm
Cheers … on a Celtic forum it should always be “spats” in the past much to my annoyance I have posted stuff I should have ….
Disagree about Celtic, stuff everything else :-)
6 days I barred myself, it was a rubbish 6 days :-)
Now, I don’t often do predictions.
However, by the end of I believe that Olivier Ntcham will be recognised as our latest ‘favourite player’.
And given that we are 2 transfer windows away from 31 December, and assuming we continue with a 4-2-3-1 line up I wonder what our strongest team will then be, maybe something like –
Goalie
Dunno Ajer Compere Tierney
Brown Ntcham
Dunno, dunno, dunno
Dunno
Jobo
I don’t do predictions … BUT
Replace DUNNO
With Griffiths
Play the Bhoy who scores the goals :-)
“Mate beat it, yir teams deid”
Zenit
Zenith
Celtic
CELTIC is CORE
2018 is gonnae be different.
The tide against Abortionists, I hope, Will turn.
How many names does the Abadd0n/Appollon…. all the mini Gods through the TERRESTRIAL of Time, have LYING to the Believers in Christ.
Anger is indeed an Energy.
Yeshua – Thank You for Celtic.
1 of my darkest days in fitba was when John Kennedy was done by a hate filled dude in a friendly.
Most Celts will play on with Broken bones, IMO.
There is something a lot Bigger.
Jobo
Must Zola Budd
Strong Girl……..
Marc is of Christ. you are Scooby Doo.
More standing sections CELTIC
It’s going to be confusing watching the Dunno quintuplets playing for Celtic. I hope that they all die their hair a different colour.
TIMe
Stand up for the Champions… should be accompanied with something really witty for just Parking the ass.
We have TIME.
Getting it right up em would be good.
Gie Kieran a wee break
Hrvatski Jim looking for some advice from you ,can you recommend any 5 star spa resorts in Croatia. No 2 daughter is getting married on May 4th and my wife and I were looking at treating her and her man to a top drawer venue. heard some good reports about Croatia and thought you would be the man to ask. Thanks H H Hebcelt
Future – Rally Ralston. And KA.
Stop yer messing around.
Just picked MissGFTB up from my sisters, walking home the moon was pretty clear (she is never out this late ) but we walked home in a cracking night
Fellow Celts good night n god bless
Hope 2018 is good to you all
You done much much too Young Keeeeeeeziie.
Seeing you miscontrol SAID SO MUCH.
Och aye the noo
CELTIC
Board help Brendan
Apologies I meant to add
Lurking Huns
Yir teams deid, beat it CSC
We done well to get to the Cheat Scam League.
We were poor in it.
This coming Season we have, Again, the element of Surprise.
Get this SFA to feck ffs.
From Twitter…
@Moravcik67_
31 Dec 2017
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1. Including Internationals, Kieran Tierney has played more minutes (3,607) in 17/18 than any other outfield player in any European top tier league. That equates to 40 full matches in 169 days, or 1 game every ~4 days since July. Only Craig Gordon (3,780) has played more minutes.
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2. The 2 outfield players closest to Tierney are Scott Brown (3,220 minutes) and Mikael Lustig (3,137 minutes). Valon Berisha, of Salzburg, is the first non-Celtic player on the list, with 2,984 minutes – 7 games worth less than Tierney has played.
Unbeatable
Celtic Celtic
that is indeed the team for moi.
Tonyrome 9.40pm
Haven’t seen his tackle on Shinnie but vividly remember Lafferty’s assault on Hinkel at CP.
After viewing the slow motion replay, I was amazed and relieved in equal measure that he didn’t break his leg that day. Don’t think he even got booked for it.
Likes to dive to get opponents booked as well.
Nasty, dishonest type.
HH
Fellow CQNr’s,
This is undoubtedly the best Celtic blog around and I’d like to wish all who contribute, lurk and moderate a very Happy New Year.
2018 probably won’t see the highs of watching Tom Rogic’s magic moment in a bar in Lisbon but in football who knows? Maybe Lyon???
Not fussed about an under par performance against a shit team on Saturday, it happens and on watching the match back we should have had the game won at HT.
The bigger issue for me is that we haven’t called out the cheats.
On my first post on this site I stated that if we didn’t then I would feel more cheated by my club than those at the ftSFA, copyright Cowiebhoy, and the old Huns.
That’s still my position and it might, with heavy heart, make me walk away.
My hope for this year is that I don’t need to even think about that prospect.
CELTIC/UK – get this SFA to feck.
Shocking how bad they are. SPFL…. Great promoters. LOLS.
Sky are VERMIN.
Oui
Dr Jo.V.CSC
Magical CELTIC